Thousands Join CAIR-NY Rally Against Trump's Expected ‘Muslim Ban’ Executive Orders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(New York, NY 1/26/17) – Yesterday, the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a leading New York advocacy group forMuslim civil rights, was joined by thousands of demonstrators to oppose President Donald Trump’s expected announcement of new restrictions targeting Muslim and undocumented Americans. The executive orders, will reportedly restrict immigration from Syria and six other Middle Eastern and African countries.
Organizers estimate that more than 3,000 participants joined the peaceful Washington Square Demonstration. Speakers included many leading New York City elected officials, civil rights groups, and faith leaders.
SEE: Thousands rally in Manhattan to protest President Trump's executive orders on immigration
“These executive orders will not make our nation safer; rather they will signal to the world that America condones discriminatory religious based profiling in its immigration policies,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. “Our strength lies in our diversity, and our mission is to ensure justice for all New Yorkers.”
“We are not the city of Donald Trump’s Gilded skyscrapers, we are not the city of Donald Trump’s Wall Street cabinet, we are the city of diversity and faith, the city of love and compassion,” said CAIR-NY Director of Strategic Litigation Albert Fox Cahn. “We are the city that shows up, and shows the world that this city, this great city, will always remain a beacon of light.”
Speakers:
Council on American-Islamic Relations, New York Executive Director Afaf Nasher, Esq.;
Council on American-Islamic Relations, New York Director of Strategic Litigation Albert Cahn, Esq.;
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (NY 7th District);
New York City Public Advocate Letitia James;
New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer;
New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito;
Council Member Corey Johnson (Dist. 3);
Council Member Helen Rosenthal (Dist.6);
Council Member I. Daneek Miller (Dist. 27);
Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Dist. 45);
New York Immigration Coalition Director of Political Engagement Murad Awawdeh;
New York City Commission on Human Rights Lead Advisor Rama Issa;
Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs Assistant Commissioner Kavita Pawria-Sanchez;
SEIU 32BJ Executive Board Member Walter Cooper;
New York Civil Liberties Union Staff Attorney Jordan Wells;
New York Civil Liberties Union Teen Activist Program Member Odalys Diego;
CUNY CLEAR Staff Attorney Tarek Ismail
Association of Muslim-American Lawyers Board Member Iman Boukadoum;
Dream Action Coalition Co-Director Cesar Vargas;
Interfaith Center of New York Executive Director Rev. Chloe Breyer;
Buddhist Council of New York President Rev. Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki;
Sadhana Co-Founder & Board Member Sunita Viswanath;
Lab/Shul Executive and Spiritual Director Amichai Lau-Lavie;
African Communities Together Organizer Fatoumata Waggeh;
Muslim Community Network Executive Assistant Widad Hassan;
Arab American Association of New York, Executive Director, Linda Sarsour;
Islamic Center at New York University Affiliate Muslim Chaplain Faiyaz Jaffer
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
END
CONTACT: CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Director of Strategic Litigation Albert Cahn, 571-766-6273, acahn@cair.com